M·A·C and Lick Launch Bold Black Paint Collaboration

In a daring fusion of beauty and interior design, cosmetics giant M·A·C and trendy paint brand Lick have joined forces to unveil M·A·C Black 40 – a limited-edition matte black paint that celebrates the colour’s power for self-expression in both makeup and home decor.

The collaboration marks a milestone for M·A·C, which has spent four decades empowering individuals to express themselves through vibrant makeup shades. By partnering with Lick, the companies aim to reframe the historically intimidating black hue as inspiring and accessible for decorating interiors.

“M·A·C Black 40 is the colour that everyone can have in their homes,” said Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design and Color Psychologist at Lick. “It’s truly versatile: it adds dimension and contrast to any room, and will effortlessly accent your furniture and decor, whatever your style.”

Challenging Perceptions of Black Widely regarded as the colour of rebellion and nonconformity, black is often associated with words like “brave,” “bold,” and “daring.” However, this collaboration challenges that sentiment by highlighting four different approaches to decorating with M·A·C Black 40:

Colour Drenching: “Color drenching with black will help to create a very calm environment,” Bradley explained. “If you have a small, north-facing room, this is a great option as black will absorb the shadows, blur the edges of the space, and add heaps of personality.”

50/50 Decorating: “This monochrome effect will help to trick the eye and open up your space, especially if you use black on the bottom 50% of the room and a light neutral on the top 50%,” she said. “The key thing to remember is to ensure everything in that lower 50% should also be black, including radiators and skirting boards.”

Artistic Pattern: “Black pairs with every other colour, so you can have a bit of fun with it,” Bradley noted. “Pattern play helps to open up a room, and vertical stripes will elongate your space. Whatever your style, black is a truly versatile colour with lots of potential for creativity.”

Accent Color: “Every room can benefit from an accent of black to bring contrast and depth,” she advised. “The best way to do this is to use black to accentuate a feature, such as a staircase or fireplace, to draw your attention to the architectural highlights of your home.”

A Versatile and Empowering Hue Bradley, who has long been “fascinated by the unique role black plays in our lives,” said the collaboration aims to show that “M·A·C Black 40 is the colour that everyone can have in their homes. This rich, matte hue absorbs all natural light, so if you’ve got a room that lacks sunlight, such as a bedroom or small space, lean into that by colour drenching your space to create a calming and cocooning effect.”

Developed through Lick’s industry-leading formulation process, M·A·C Black 40 boasts an unrivalled depth of colour and is made with the highest-quality pigments. The limited-edition hue takes inspiration from M·A·C’s iconic branding and the new M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in the shade Caviar.

“Celebrating M·A·C’s 40th year with Lick has been an honour, as black is at the heart of M·A·C’s DNA,” said Dom Skinner, Director of Makeup Artistry at M·A·C. “What has been the most exciting part of this collaboration with Lick has been exploring the versatility of black. Showing how it can be harnessed in multiple ways – from fierce rebellion to clean minimalism, from a simple sheer sweep to dynamic overdrawn intensity – black can go from cool to chic and proves why it’s a must for any trendsetter.”

Whether used as a dominant colour on walls or as an accent on woodwork, M·A·C Black 40 is the perfect choice for creating bold and timeless spaces. The elegant and empowering black pairs seamlessly with Lick White 02 for a high-contrast monochromatic look or Lick White 05 for a softer, neutral scheme.

“For minimalists and maximalists alike, M·A·C Black 40 is the one colour that fits all,” Bradley concluded, underscoring the versatility and universal appeal of this daring new collaboration between the beauty and home decor worlds.